Introducing the Newly Elected CIArb Kenya Young Members Group (YMG) Steering Committee (2025–2028)

The New YMG Steering Commitee

We are delighted to announce the election of the new Steering Committee for the Young Members Group (YMG) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Kenya Branch, following the successful polls held on 25th April 2025.

Please join us in warmly congratulating the newly elected office bearers who will serve for the 2025–2028 term:

  • Chairman & YMG Representative to the Branch Board: David Onsare, FCIArb
  • Vice Chairperson: Samantha Masengeli, MCIArb
  • Organizing Secretary: Akoth Aluoch, MCIArb
  • Committee Member: Mark Oroko, MCIArb
  • Committee Member: Daniel M. Nzeki, MCIArb
  • Committee Member: Eric Ng’ang’a W.
  • Committee Member: Jotham Alvine Makanga Webo, MCIArb

This dynamic team brings fresh energy, passion, and strategic insight to the YMG, and we are confident in their ability to champion the interests of young professionals in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) across Kenya and beyond.

As a Branch, we are committed to supporting the new Committee in fulfilling YMG’s mission—to empower dispute resolution practitioners under the age of 40, nurture career growth, and enhance professional development opportunities within the ADR field.

We also take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Committee members—James Ngotho Kariuki LL.M, FCIArb, Edgar Alema, and Dr. Nekoye M. Masibili—for their outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the growth and visibility of YMG over the years.

We look forward to an impactful and exciting term ahead under the stewardship of the new YMG Steering Committee.

Congratulations once again to the incoming team!

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ROUNDTABLE REPORT: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

1. Background and Context  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Kenya’s economy,  contributing approximately 33% of GDP and employing over 80% of the workforce outside  the agricultural sector. Despite this significance, SMEs remain disproportionately exposed  to commercial disputes that are costly, protracted, and frequently unresolved through  formal judicial channels.  The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch convened a multi-stakeholder  roundtable to interrogate the landscape of dispute resolution for SMEs, assess the efficacy  of existing mechanisms, and identify entry points for scalable Alternative Dispute  Resolution (ADR) interventions. The roundtable convened representatives from the Micro  and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), the Judiciary, the Kenya National Chamber of  Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the financial sector, the insurance industry, and the  youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.  This report summarises the deliberations and perspectives presented by each  stakeholder group, and distills shared conclusions, identified gaps, and proposed areas of  partnership.  2. Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) — Perspective  Presenters: Maureen Gachogo- Registrar.                       :Agnes Thiong’o- Senior legal officer.  2.1 Nature and Typology of Disputes in the SME Sector  MSEA’s frontline engagement with the SME ecosystem reveals that disputes within this  sector are diverse in character and frequently multi-layered. The Authority identified three  principal categories of disputes commonly encountered:  •Governance disputes: These arise within SME structures, particularly cooperatives,  chamas, and registered business associations, where disagreements over  leadership, profit-sharing, decision-making authority, and member obligations  create internal fractures. Such disputes, if unresolved, often result in enterprise  dissolution or significant productive loss.  •Resource disputes – Land use: A recurring category of disputes involves access to  and use of land for business operations. These disputes frequently involve 

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